I am under contract to buy a home! Now what?

CONTACT YOUR LENDER

Start the application process immediately.  You only have so many days days to do this

after signing the contract per the agreement. 

SUBMIT YOUR DEPOSIT TO THE LISTING BROKERAGE

Most contracts state that this is required to be submitted within 5 days from the execution of the contract. 

START GETTING INSURANCE QUOTES

Then let the lender know with whom you have insurance.

SET UP A HOME INSPECTION

You only have a certain amount of days to do an inspection. Remember, you need to get the report back from the inspector and review it, AND submit a reply to inspections form all in this timeline.

ORDER YOUR TITLE SEARCH WITH A LOCAL TITLE ATTORNEY

There is also a contractual deadline to do this in your sales agreement. The title searches take a few weeks at minimum to come back, and the attorney's office needs ample time to review the search and also sort out any issues found. 

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THE MONEY YOU NEED FOR DOWNPAYMENT AND CLOSING COSTS

Your lender can give you an idea of the amount needed.

DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING ON CREDIT!

A credit report will be ran again the day of closing.

START THINKING ABOUT REPAIRS

Painting, carpet, or anything else you want to do to the home after

closing, and start getting quotes.

CALL UTILITY COMPANIES

1 week prior to closing (electric, water, phone, mail, etc) & let them know your new service address and date of closing. They can have this set up as an advanced-date transfer. This will save you money in "set up" fees and additionally protect your asset from going without heat or water.

THE DAY OF CLOSING YOU WILL NEED

Your driver's license and a cashier's check if the money was not wired to the title company ahead of time.